Swain commissioner candidates weigh in on the issues

The Swain County commissioners race has attracted a deep bench of Democratic candidates — nine contenders vying for the four commissioner seats and two more for commissioner chairman.

Macon commissioner race spending pits conservative and moderate Republicans

There’s only one primary in the Macon County commissioners’ races, but it’s a good one to watch. It might well be a political bellwether. 

“You have varying opinions on what’s best for the county,” said Macon County Commissioner Jim Tate, a Republican running for re-election. 

Navigating the political stripes of the Haywood commissioners’ race

Three Haywood County commissioners running for re-election this year are standing on their track record of balanced leadership from the center of the political spectrum.

The three sitting commissioners on the ballot are Democrats, but they describe themselves as moderate.

House party: Three GOP candidates take aim at Rep. Queen


A trio of Republican candidates have lined up to challenge N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, for his District 119 House seat. One is barely old enough to drink, one campaigned for Barry Goldwater and one features Second Amendment-chest thumping on his website: “United Nations – stay out of NC!”

Dreaming of Davis’ seat: Hipps, Robinson vie for Senate 50

fr hippsNorth Carolina’s District 50 senator represents the state’s seven western counties. In 2010, Sen. Jim Davis (R-Franklin) narrowly wrested the seat from incumbent John Snow but then beat Snow by a much-wider margin in 2012. 

One and done — Macon sheriff race to be sewed up in primary

The Macon County Sheriff race will be short and sweet. Incumbent Sheriff Robbie Holland, a Republican, only faces one challenger, Bryan Carpenter, also a Republican. Because the two candidates are in the same party, the primary election will decide the race.

Candidates lineup for a shot on Swain sheriff ballot

Swain County Sheriff Curtis Cochran will have an easy primary season, with no Republicans challenging his bid for a third term in office. But four Democratic challengers are fighting it out during the primary. Here’s a look at those candidates:

Candidates sound off on issues in crowded sheriff race

With the May election primary drawing nearer and the ring chock-full of hats contending for the Jackson County sheriff seat, candidates are getting down to the nitty-gritty of how they’d handle the job. 

Election laws in the ‘new’ North Carolina

fr votinglawsNew controversial voting laws passed by the N.C. General Assembly last year were supposed to take effect in 2016, but the timeline will ultimately come down to lawsuits challenging their constitutionality.

Voting from bed: WCU, Jackson County election officials hammer out a hopeful home

coverWalking out of the Jackson County Board of Elections offices in Sylva, Lane Perry seemed pleased. A year’s worth of work was about to pay off. 

SEE ALSO: Election laws in the ‘new’ North Carolina

“At the end of the day, we want to be able to get university students to vote where they live for three to five years,” Perry explained on the way to his car.

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